Health Canada has concluded its investigation into the deaths of two individuals who donated plasma in Winnipeg, stating that the deaths were not related to the donation process. The federal health regulator stated that there was no indication of any malfunction in the equipment and that it operated as expected, according to Health Canada spokesperson Mark Johnson.
The assessments conducted by Health Canada considered various factors, such as the timing of events, cause of death, medical history, and any incidents during the plasma collection process. The investigation was initiated following two fatal adverse reactions in Winnipeg, one in October of the previous year and another on January 30, 2026.
While Health Canada did not find a direct link between the deaths and the donation process, any further inquiries regarding the cause of death were directed to the province’s chief medical examiner. The plasma donation process is subject to strict regulatory requirements under the federal government’s Blood Regulations, including donor eligibility assessments.
One of the deceased individuals, Rodiyat Alabede, passed away on October 25, 2025, after reportedly experiencing a medical emergency during a plasma donation appointment at the Grifols Plasma Donation Centre on Taylor Avenue. The circumstances surrounding the second death, which occurred at a different location near the University of Manitoba in January, remain largely undisclosed.
In response to the incidents, Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara expressed concerns about the lack of timely information sharing regarding the deaths and contemplated banning paid plasma donations in the province. Health Canada announced that all Grifols locations will be subject to new terms and conditions to ensure compliance with regulations.
While additional requirements were imposed on most Grifols sites, the Grifols location on Innovation Drive operates under a separate license and quality management system. Health Canada emphasized that the new conditions were implemented due to recurring deficiencies across multiple collection centers and will remain in place until sustained compliance is demonstrated.
The Manitoba government will review Health Canada’s findings and consider further actions to prioritize donor safety. Grifols, a company specializing in plasma medicines, operates numerous plasma collection centers across Canada. Health Canada mandates that all plasma collection facilities report any serious donor reactions promptly.
Health Canada explained that the lack of immediate notification to the Manitoba health minister about the October death was due to the rarity of adverse events related to blood and plasma donation, leading to variations in information-sharing protocols. Following the deaths, both Grifols locations were inspected, revealing several non-compliant issues that are currently under investigation.
